1 Curso de Pós-Graduação em Fisiopatologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 2 Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
3 Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, Brazil. 4 Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Corresponding author: Débora dos Santos Queija – Departamento de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade de São Paulo – Avenida Dr. Enéas de Aguiar, 255, Instituto Central, 8th floor, room 8,174 – Cerqueira César – Zip code: 05403-000 – São Paulo, SP, Brazil – Phone: (55 13) 3289-6314 – E-mail: dqueija@uol.com.br
Received on: Jan 21, 2017 – Accepted on: Apr 13, 2017
Conflict of interest: none.
DOI: 10.1590/S1679-45082017AO3995 ABSTRACT
Objective: Translate to brazilian portuguese, culturally adapt and test the rating and classification scales of cervicofacial lymphedema of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol (MDACC HNL) in patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. Methods: The process followed international guidelines and translation stages by two head and neck surgeons, and back translation independently by two native Americans. The test of final version was based on the evaluation of 18 patients by one speech pathologist and one physical therapist who applied the scales in Portuguese. Results: The translation of the three scales was carried out independently and the translators reached a consensus for the final version. Minor modifications were made by translating two terms into the Assessment of the Face. Versions of back-translation were similar to each other. The instrument was successfully applied to patients independently. Conclusion: The translation and cultural adaptation of the assessment and rating scale of the cervicofacial lymphedema of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol to the Brazilian Portuguese were successful.
Keywords: Lymphedema; Head and neck neoplasms; Neck dissection; Radiotherapy; Lymph nodes; Validation studies
RESUMO
Objetivo: Traduzir, para o português brasileiro, adaptar culturalmente e testar as escalas de avaliação e classificação do linfedema cérvico--facial doMD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema
Protocol (MDACC HNL) em pacientes submetidos ao tratamento
para o câncer de cabeça e pescoço. Métodos: O processo seguiu as diretrizes internacionais e as etapas de tradução por dois cirurgiões de cabeça e pescoço, além de retrotradução de forma independente por dois nativos norte-americanos. O teste da versão final foi realizado a partir da avaliação de 18 pacientes por um fonoaudiólogo e um fisioterapeuta, por meio da aplicação das escalas em português. Resultados: A tradução das três escalas foi realizada de forma independente, e os tradutores chegaram a um consenso para a versão final. Foram feitas pequenas modificações, ao serem traduzidos dois termos em Assessment of the Face. As versões da retrotradução foram semelhantes entre si. O instrumento foi aplicado com sucesso nos pacientes de forma independente. Conclusão: A tradução e a adaptação das escalas de avaliação e classificação do linfedema cérvico-facial do MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema protocol para o português foram bem sucedidas.
Descritores: Linfedema; Neoplasias de cabeça e pescoço; Esvaziamento cervical; Radioterapia; Linfonodos; Estudos de validação
INTRODUCTION
The modalities of head and neck cancer treatment have the objective of control of the disease and patient survival. Both the surgical approach (with or without neck dissection) and exclusive or adjuvant radiation therapy or associated with chemotherapy aim to cure and preserve the function of the structures involved in
Translation and adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese of the
Lymphedema Rating Scale in Head and Neck Cancer
Tradução e adaptação para o português brasileiro da
Lymphedema Rating Scale in Head and Neck Cancer
Débora dos Santos Queija1, Lica Arakawa-Sugueno2, Bruna Mello Chamma3,
respiration, voice, swallowing, and as much as possible, to maintain the integrity of the patient’s face and neck.(1,2) Although treatment increases survival, there is
a great risk of patients developing acute and/or chronic sequelae, with an important impact on quality of life.(3-5)
Some of the complications inherent to the treatment are secondary edema and lymphedema. Surgical manipulation can rupture the lymphatic structures and damage the adjacent soft tissues, leading to an increase of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial spaces. Lymphatic fluid retention activates inflammatory and immunological responses, resulting in fibrosis of soft and subcutaneous tissues, as well as in adipose deposition, which hinders lymphatic function.(6,7) Postoperative edema can recede in a question
of days, while edema caused by the rupture of lymphatic and vascular drainage can remain and take months to disappear. The toxicity of radiation also promotes damage that leads to alterations during and after treatment, compromising the blood vessels and the lymphatic channels of the face and neck, contributing to lymphedema.(3,8,9)
Lymphedema can involve external anatomical sites (soft tissues of the face and neck). As a consequence of external lymphedema, swelling can lead to reduced range of movement, pain, and discomfort in the neck.(2,3,5,10)
Despite lymphedema being recognized as a significant complication of head and neck cancer treatment, it still is underdiagnosed and undertreated. The literature
suggests a prevalence that varies from 54 to 75%.(10,11)
In the last few years, some authors have been concerned about describing and characterizing lymphedema in this population, but the studies are not sufficiently enlightening.(12)
The medical literature indicates that the understanding of the pathological mechanisms points out that lymphedema and fibrosis occur continuously. Some patients present with swelling, while others may develop fibrosis without necessarily having a previous history of edema. However, many patients evolve with both, and fibrosis represents the final stage.(13,14) Both events
are generally associated with functional impairment and therefore, it is essential there be a tool that allows identification, evaluation, and measurement of its severity.(15,16)
Some protocols have been developed and tested throughout this decade with the purpose of characterizing secondary lymphedema, fibrosis, and its respective impact on the functional condition and on the quality of life of these patients, and as a treatment aid, but there still is no consensus.(6,8,10,12,13,15-26)
Only the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) group published and has used scales that allow
measurements of cervicofacial lymphedema in head
and neck cancer.(12,24,26) The tool named MD Anderson
Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema (MDACC
HNL) has been applied in other studies and compared
to other instruments.(14,21) The MDACC HNL Protocol
includes the interview with the patient, the visual and tactile evaluation of the face, neck and shoulders region, and the functional assessment of swallowing and oral communication. The examination also combines photography, measurement with a measuring tape, and staging of the edema to characterize the general
appearance and severity of the lymphedema.(12)
OBJECTIVE
Translate to brazilian portuguese, culturally adapt and test the rating and classification scales of cervicofacial lymphedema of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol (MDACC HNL) in patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer.
METHODS
This research represents the initial phase of the clinical study project, approved by the Research Ethics
Committee of the Medical School – Universidade de São
Paulo, where it was carried out under number 137/14, from January to December 2016. To develop the project with the three scales, the author gave her permission to translate it. The Assessment of the Face, Neck
Circumference, and the MDACC Head and Neck
Lymphedema Rating Scale, are all parts of the MD Anderson Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol.
Since these are strictly anatomy-related measurement scales, the translation was done independently by two head and neck surgeons with experience in head and neck edema and lymphedema, and proficiency in the
English language, based on Nomina Anatomica.(27) The
process was based on international guidelines.(28,29)
There was, therefore, a consensus between the translators of a new version for Brazilian Portuguese and the posterior back-translation, performed independently by two native English language speakers. Next, the back-translation was compared with the original, analyzing aspects related to conceptual equivalence, semantics, and content. Later, a translation was prepared by the committee formed by the translators and back-translators.
The authors recommend that the lymphedema assessment be applied by a professional certified in lymphedema.(12,25) The application of the final version was
(one speech therapist and one physical therapist) certified by the Leduc method, by means of perimetry adapted for face and neck, and a visual and tactile evaluation, in order to stage the lymphedema. The patient was assessed individually by each one of the professionals who then compared the evaluations. Since they are similar measurements, the evaluators reached a consensus.
All patients were photographed, as recommended by the authors, using as background a checkered frame, with a Canon EOS T4i camera, and an 18-55mm objective lens.(12) The instruments were applied to 18 patients of
the Head and Neck Service of the organization where the study was carried out.
Evaluation of the facial edema or lymphedema
For the visual evaluation, the patient’s face was marked with an antiallergenic pen to bilaterally measure the facial proportions (Figure 1), using adapted perimetry (anthropometric measuring tape), as per the criteria adopted by Smith et al., which has two facial circumference measurements (diagonal and submentonian), point to point, and seven measurements that characterize the facial composite.(12)
and neck surgery, and it is based on the traditional Földi Scale for staging of lymphedema in the extremities. On the adapted MDACC scale, level 1 was divided into 1a and 1b to describe the edema as pitting and non-pitting. In this case, the evaluation is made by digital pressure on the skin of the edema area, which indicates the presence of interstitial fluid in the region. Pressure was exerted softly on the evaluated area for a period of 10 seconds. The edema is considered as pitting when there is identification of the tissue depression remaining after the digital pressure. The depth of the tissue depression and the time it remains reflect the severity of the edema. Pitting edema is softer, while non-pitting edema is more rigid and does not yield to pressure.(12,14)
RESULTS
The translation of the three scales of the MDACC HNL Protocol was performed by two head and neck surgeons (Chart 1). Both translations were analyzed together by the two translators who reached a consensus for the final version.
Figure 1. Measurements assessing cervicofacial edema or lymphedema
Lymphedema staging
The MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Rating Scale was created to characterize the presentation and severity of lymphedema in head
Chart 1. Original instrument, translations, consensus, and back-translation INSTRUMENTO ORIGINAL NA LÍNGUA INGLESA
Assessment of the face (1) Facial circumference
(a) Diagonal: chin to crown of head
(b) Submental: <1cm in front of ear, vertical tape alignment (2) Point to point
(a) Mandibular angle to mandibular angle (b) Tragus to tragus
(c) Facial composite
(I) Tragus to mental protuberance (II) Tragus to mouth angle (III) Mandibular angle to nasal wing (IV) Mandibular angle to internal eye corner (V) Mandibular angle to external eye corner (VI) Mental protuberance to internal eye corner (VII) Mandibular angle to mental protuberance Neck circumferences
(A) Superior neck: immediately beneath mandible (B) Medial neck: midway between points A and B (C) Inferior neck: lowest circumferential level
MDACC head and neck lymphedema rating scale
Levels Description
0 No visible edema but patient reports heaviness 1a Soft visible edema; no pitting, reversible 1b Soft pitting edema; reversible
2 Firm pitting edema; not reversible; no tissue changes 3 Irreversible; tissue changes
Source: Smith BG, Lewin JS. Lymphedema management in head and neck cancer. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck
Surg. 2010;18(3):153-8. Review.(12)
...Continuation
Chart 1. Original instrument, translations, consensus, and back-translation TRADUÇÃO REALIZADA PELO TRADUTOR A
Avaliação da face (1) Circunferência facial
(a) Diagonal: mento a glabela
(b) Submentoniana: <1cm a frente da orelha, alinhamento vertical da fita (2) Ponto a ponto
(a) Ângulo a ângulo da mandíbula (b) Trágus a trágus
(c) Composição facial
(I) Trágus a protuberância mentoniana (II) Trágus a comissura labial (III) Ângulo da mandíbula a asa nasal
(IV) Ângulo da mandíbula ao canto interno do olho (V) Ângulo da mandíbula ao canto externo do olho (VI) Protuberância mentoniana ao canto interno do olho (VII) Ângulo da mandíbula a protuberância mentoniana Circunferências do pescoço
(A) Parte superior do pescoço: imediatamente abaixo da mandíbula (B) Parte média do pescoço: porção média entre a superior e inferior (C) Parte inferior do pescoço: nível inferior
Escala de linfedema em cabeça e pescoço MDACC
Níveis Descrição
0 Sem edema visível, mas o paciente relata peso 1a Edema leve visível: sem depressão, reversível 1b Edema com depressão leve; reversível
2 Edema com depressão firme; não reversível; sem alteração dos tecidos 3 Irreversível; alterações dos tecidos
Fonte: Traduzida com autorização do autor. Smith BG, Lewin JS. Lymphedema management in head and neck cancer.
Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;18(3):153-8. Review.(12)
TRADUÇÃO REALIZADA PELO TRADUTOR B
Avaliação da face (1) Circunferência da face
(a) Diagonal: mento a glabela
(b) Submentoniana: <1cm a frente da orelha, alinhamento vertical da fita (2) Ponto a ponto
(a) Ângulo a ângulo da mandíbula (b) Trágus a trágus
(c) Composição facial
(I) Trágus a protuberância do mento (II) Trágus a comissura labial (III) Ângulo da mandíbula a asa nasal
(IV) Ângulo da mandíbula ao canto interno do olho (V) Ângulo da mandíbula ao canto externo do olho (VI) Protuberância do mento ao canto interno do olho (VII) Ângulo da mandíbula a protuberância do mento Circunferências do pescoço
(A) Superior: imediatamente abaixo da mandíbula (B) Média: porção média entre a superior e inferior (C) Inferior: porção mais baixa do pescoço
Escala de linfedema em cabeça e pescoço MDACC
Níveis Descrição
0 Sem edema visível, mas o paciente relata peso 1a Edema leve visível: sem depressão, reversível 1b Edema com depressão leve; reversível
2 Edema com depressão firme; não reversível; sem alteração dos tecidos 3 Irreversível; alterações dos tecidos
Fonte: Traduzida com autorização do autor. Smith BG, Lewin JS. Lymphedema management in head and neck cancer.
Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;18(3):153-8. Review.(12)
continue...
...Continuation
CONSENSO PARA A VERSÃO FINAL EM PORTUGUÊS BRASILEIRO
Avaliação da face (1) Circunferência facial
(a) Diagonal: mento a glabela
(b) Submentoniana: <1cm a frente da orelha, alinhamento vertical da fita (2) Ponto a ponto
(a) Ângulo a ângulo da mandíbula (b) Trágus a trágus
(c) Composição facial
(I) Trágus a protuberância mentoniana (II) Trágus a comissura labial (III) Ângulo da mandíbula a asa nasal (IV) Ângulo da mandíbula ao canto interno do olho (V) Ângulo da mandíbula ao canto externo do olho (VI) Protuberância mentoniana ao canto interno do olho (VII) Ângulo da mandíbula a protuberância mentoniana Circunferências do pescoço
(A) Superior: imediatamente abaixo da mandíbula (B) Medial: porção média entre a superior e inferior (C) Inferior: porção mais baixa
Escala de linfedema em cabeça e pescoço MDACC
Níveis Descrição
0 Sem edema visível, mas o paciente relata peso 1a Edema leve visível: sem depressão, reversível 1b Edema com depressão leve; reversível
2 Edema com depressão firme; irreversível; sem alteração dos tecidos 3 Edema irreversível; alterações dos tecidos
RETROTRADUÇÃO INDEPENDENTE POR DOIS NATIVOS DA LÍNGUA INGLESA
Assessment of the face (1) Facial circumference
(a) diagonal: chin to crown of head
(a) submentonian: <1cm in front of ear, vertical tape alignment (2) Point to Point
(a) Mandibular angle to mandibular angle (b) Tragus to tragus
(c) Facial composite
(I) Tragus to mental protuberance (II) Tragus to lip commissure (III) Mandibular angle to nasal wing (IV) Mandibular angle to internal eye corner (V) Mandibular angle to external eye corner (VI) Mandibular protuberance to internal eye corner (VII) Mandibular angle to mental protuberance Neck circumferences
(A) Superior neck: immediately beneath mandible (B) Medial neck: midway between point A and C (C) Inferior neck: lowest level
MDACC Head and neck lymphedema rating scale
Levels Description
0 No visible edema but patient reports heaviness 1a Soft visible edema; no pitting, reversible 1b Soft pitting edema; reversible
...Continuation
Table 1. Demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics
Variable n
N2b 1
Treatment
Surgery 8
Surgery + radiation therapy 4 Surgery + radiation therapy and chemotherapy 5 Radiation therapy and chemotherapy 1
Neck dissection
No 3
Yes 14
Type of neck dissection
Supraomohyoid 9
Radical 3
Modified radical 1
Jugular 1
Selective 1
Radiation therapy
Minimum-maximum 3,150-7,000
Median 1,575
Mean±standard deviation 3,186±3,292.57 Interval since end of treatment (months)
Minimum-maximum 3-40
Median 6.5
Mean±standard deviation 11.94±12.12
Alcoholism
No 18
Yes
-Smoking
No 16
Yes 2
Tracheostomy
No 17
Yes 1
Nasogastric tube
No 17
Yes 1
The translators made small modifications when
translating two terms in the Assessment of the Face.
The first was “crown of head,” which when translated
into Portuguese, was called “glabella.” The second was
“mouth angle,” which was called “labial commissure.”
The adaptation did not compromise the content, from the semantic point of view. Additionally, the said scales should be applied by healthcare professionals with experience in anatomical terminology of the head and neck.
Based on this last version, the back-translation was done independently by two bilingual translators. The versions were similar between themselves, with no impairment of the original version.
The instrument was applied by the healthcare professionals on 18 patients at the organization where this research was carried out. Table 1 shows the characterization of cases in which the translated scales were applied. The study subjects had lesions in various sites, and the treatment used varied from surgery to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and 15 underwent neck dissection.
Table 1. Demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics
Variable n
Age (years)
Minimum-maximum 36-82
Median 60
Mean±standard deviation 61.22±11.39 Sex
Female 6
Male 12
Tumor location
Mouth 7
Oropharynx 5
Larynx 1
Infraglottic cavity 1
Thyroid 1
Face 2
Occult primary tumor 1
Staging
Tx 1
T1b 1
T2 10
T3 2
T4 2
N0 10
N1 2
N2 1
N2a 2
continue...
In the group evaluated, facial lymphedema was identified in ten patients (55.5%), four of them (40%) type 1a, six (60%) type 1b. Table 2 indicates data related to facial measurements.
Table 2. Assessment of the face
Patient 1a 1b 2a 2b
Measurements (mm)
CI CII CIII CIV CV CVI CVII
R L R L R L R L R L R L R L
1 17 29 21.5 34 11 11.5 11 10.5 11.5 11 13.5 12.5 7 7.5 12 12.5 10 9.5
2 13 26 24 27.5 13.5 14 9.5 10 10 11 13 13.5 9 9 10.5 10.5 12 12.5
3 13.5 31 28 32 16 16 12 12 13 14 15.5 16 12 12 11.5 11.5 14 14
4 13 28 22 29 16 15.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 12 12 12.5 9.5 9 10.5 11 11 11 5 14 30 26.5 31 17 17.5 13 12.5 12.5 11 14.5 13.5 9.5 9.5 12 12 14 12.5
6 15.5 28 20 30 16 15.5 12 11 11 10 12 12 9 9 12 12 10 10
7 15 27 29 29 15.5 16 10 11 10 10 13 13 10 9 12 12 19 10
8 17 29 17 23 16 17 12.5 12 12 12 14.5 14.5 11 11 14 14 11.5 10
9 14.5 27.5 19.5 32 15 15 12 12 11 9 13 11 9 9 11 11 10 9.5
10 12 23 18 30 16.5 17 11 12 12 11.5 12 13 10 10 11.5 11.5 12 13.5
11 14 30 20 30 16.5 17 12.5 12 12 12 14 14.5 11 10 12 11.5 11.5 13
12 15 27 21.5 28 14 14 11 11 10 10 12 12 10 10 11 11 9 9
13 14 27 19.5 28 15 17 10 11 10 10 12 12 8.5 10 12 12 8 10
14 15 27 18 29 15.5 14.5 11 10 10 11 12.5 12.5 9.5 9 11.5 11 9.5 11
15 15 32 25 32 17 17 11.3 11.3 11 11 15.5 14 12 12 15 14 10 11.7
16 13 26 17.5 28.5 15 15.5 11 11 9 9 12 12 10 10 12 12 9 9
17 14 31 20 30 17 17 12 12 10 10 13 13 10 10 12 12 10 10
18 19 30 18 29 16 16 11 11 10 10 13 13 11 11 12 12 9 9
mm: millimeters; 1a diagonal: mentum to glabella; 1b submentonian: <1cm to the front of the ear, vertical tape alignment; 2a: angle to mandibular angle; 2b: tragus to tragus; CI: tragus to mentonian protuberance; CII: tragus to labial commissure; CIII: mandibular angle to nasal wing; CIV: mandibular angle to the internal corner of the eye; CV: mandibular angle to the external corner of the eye; CVI: mentonian protuberance to the internal corner of the eye; CVII: mandibular angle to the mentonian protuberance; R: right; L: left.
Table 3. Measurements of the neck
Patient Measurements (mm)
Superior Medial Inferior
1 43.5 41 40
2 36 39 36.5
3 40 40.5 40
4 36 35 36
5 41 39.5 41
6 42.5 40 41
7 36.5 35 36.5
8 42 40 39
9 43 40 43
10 38 37.5 37.5
11 39 40 40.5
12 39 38 38
13 37.5 35 35.5
14 37 34 35
15 46 46.5 44
16 36 34 36
17 40.5 42 44
18 38.2 36 36.5
for head and neck cancer have shown that there are specificities and differences in each one. Some focus on the aspects related to edema per se, while others explore the characteristics of fibrosis.(7) The Földi et al., Scale(13)
seems to capture the changes in soft tissues, from the softest and reversible edema, to the firmest one, which is not reversible.(14) Even so, it is difficult to measure
these alterations, a fact that justifies the scarce number of publications on the topic, and a consensus that the existing rating scales are inconsistent in capturing the characteristics of the external lymphedema after head and neck cancer.
In its initial phase, often the lymphedema can be difficult to detect. However, with the use of measuring techniques, it is possible to identify lymphatic congestion and increased pressure in the subcutaneous tissue. If the intervention is performed early, primarily in cases in which the damage is severe, the results can be satisfactory.(6,12,24)
These scales have already been used by some authors and had as criterion of choice previous experience
demonstrated in studies with the instrument.(18-20,25)
The staging and evaluation scales of cervicofacial lymphedema were standardized by the MDACC, and are a part of the evaluation protocol of head and DISCUSSION
neck cancer lymphedema of the organization; they are also associated with the functional evaluations of swallowing and with the patient’s follow-up.(12) The use
of the anthropometric measuring tape for the adapted perimetry is mentioned because of the difficulty in establishing the reference points that allow constant and reproducible results.(18,19,23) By the number of patients
studied in the samples and by inconsistency of the points used in measuring, there still is no evidence in the method, but it is the form available for this purpose. It is recommended that a photographic registry be made of the front and profile views, with the patient sitting and the camera positioned on a tripod, always in the same location. We also suggest the attachment of a checkered frame on the wall behind the patient and the demarcation, with an appropriate pen, so that the record of the image is made always in the same position. This trick facilitates follow-up and the accompaniment and progress of the edema and lymphedema throughout treatment.
Recently, a protocol was drawn up with a few assessment measurements of lymphedema of head and neck cancer (ALOHA). The instrument consists of measurements of the perimetry of the superior and inferior circumferences of the neck, ear to ear, and of the extension of the lip to the inferior circumference of the neck (border of the lower lip to the inferior circumference of the neck). In addition to these, an instrument was used to evaluate the content of tissue fluid in the face and of the neck (Moisture MeterD) by means of a probe. The study indicated a weak reliability of the measurements extracted from the extension of the lip to the inferior circumference of the neck, while the comparison between the staging scale and the constant dielectric constant of the tissue achieved good reliability. The perimetry measurements of the tissue were useful to assess the changes in the tissue throughout time, and the Moisture MeterD was
effective to diagnose lymphedema.(19)
The description, presentation of the external lymphedema, and results of complete decongestive therapy were verified by means of the measurements obtained with the rating scales and the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol cervicofacial lymphedema in 1,202 patients treated for head and neck cancer. The study identified a predominance of external 1b lymphedema in 62% of patients, followed by 28% of type 1a. The rating scale helped identify the changes obtained after treatment. The authors commented that the subdivision of level 1 into 1a and 1b improved the ability to capture the visible non-pitting edema, which is common in head
and neck cancer cases, and that is not commonly found in patients with lymphedema in the extremities.(24)
The results of this project pointed out the presence of external facial lymphedema in 55.5%, and of the neck in 77% of the assessments, indicating similarity with the findings in literature.(6,11)
Despite the fact that they do not characterize diagnostic tools, when applying the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol evaluation and classification rating scales of cervicofacial lymphedema, it was possible to observe that the perimetry measurements offer an aid for the capture
of the volume of edema and external lymphedema.(12)
For the application of the scales to be fruitful, it is advisable that the instrument by applied by speech therapists, physical therapists, and physicians who already have experience, as well as certification in the identification and management of edema and
lymphedema in head and neck cancer.(12,25)
The study highlighted some limitations related to grading of the fibrosis. So far, when the involvement is greater, there are no validated instruments that can characterize the several more subtle degrees of tissue changes. Nevertheless, even so, the instrument used allowed conditions favorable to perceiving the differentiation between pitting and non-pitting lymphedema, such as in the cases found in head and neck cancer.
With the rating scales of external lymphedema, it is possible to incorporate systematic evaluation into the routine of patient progress. The information obtained
by means of theMD Anderson Cancer Center Head and
Neck Lymphedema Protocol rating scales for evaluation and classification of cervicofacial lymphedema can enable early detection and identification of lymphedema, besides providing support to referral to treatment, while at the same time, serving as an instrument for assessing the patient’s clinical progress.
CONCLUSION
The translation of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol rating scales for evaluation and classification into Portuguese was consistent with the original texts.
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